This review will look at one of my favorite (and more frequent) dishes in the Walt Disney World Parks, the Cobb Salad at the Hollywood Brown Derby. This review will state why is it one of my favorites and specifically why I think it’s a good value.

Photo courtesy Tom Bricker

Hollywood Brown Derby is an upscale signature dining restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. To find it, once you enter the turnstiles stay straight walking down the street towards the replica of the Grauman’s Chinese theatre (or the Great Movie Ride). Once you get into the “hub” area of the park, the Hollywood Brown Derby will be to your right (it will be past the street on your right that would lead you to the Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster).

Photo courtesy Tom Bricker

Walt Disney World’s website describes the Hollywood Brown Derby as, “An authentic replica of the famous Brown Derby, a Tinseltown landmark steeped in glamour and glitz. The walls are adorned with caricatures of famous faces—a tradition that began with the original restaurant—and the upscale atmosphere harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood.” I always have a fun time trying to guess who the caricatures are while waiting on my dinner, even if I may not have an idea who they are!

Photo courtesy Tom Bicker

The Cobb Salad has Finely Chopped Greens, Turkey Breast, Bacon, Egg, Tomatoes, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Avocado, Chives, and Cobb Dressing which are all finely chopped. Each ingredient is presented all together in a row on the plate, or you can request it to be mixed before brought out to you (if that’s your personal preference). All of the ingredients have tasted fresh when I’ve ordered the salad, and with the number of ingredients provided (especially with the proteins such as the turkey breast, bacon, and eggs) it is more filling than you would imagine a salad to be! I’m a 31 year old male and it’s enough for me as an entrée. It’s definitely my favorite salad on the Walt Disney World Property.

The Cobb Salad can be ordered as an appetizer ($9 according to Walt Disney World’s online menu), or $16 as an entrée.

Why do I believe this meal is a good value? My traveling party have been on the Table Service Dining Plan and wanted to check out a signature restaurant which typically costs two dining credits. I’m not suggesting use the two credits at Hollywood Brown Derby (although you’re more than welcome to, it’s an amazing restaurant with other fine dishes as well); we booked the Hollywood Brown Derby and paid out of pocket for our Cobb Salad’s as entrees. This essentially gave us a dinner that we could allot our dining plan credits elsewhere. The Cobb Salad and tip (if you do not buy a drink) will run around $21-22 which is not that much more than some quick service meals that would be an option (plus on top of that, you get to sit down in the air conditioning in one of the best themed restaurants on Walt Disney World property). Also, sometimes later on in your trip if you have been eating table service every night, you may be getting full and the Cobb Salad is a nice “lighter” option for you to eat and not feel stuffed! These are reasons why I think value can be found with this dish regardless of if you’re on the dining plan or not.

Photo courtesy Tom Bricker

I hope that I have provided a good review of why myself, and my family, try to make it to the Hollywood Brown Derby for the Cobb Salad once a trip. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments. Thanks, and see ya real soon! Reservation and menu options for the Hollywood Brown Derby can be found at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/hollywood-brown-derby/.

About The Author

John Anderson is a mild-mannered accountant from Nashville, TN. He’s in his early 30s, single, and a self-proclaimed Disney nerd. He is a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World and enjoys other Disney visits such as the Disney Cruises, Disneyland Resort, the 2013 D23 Convention, and Tokyo Disney Resort. Star Wars and Marvel are also big interests to him. John enjoys helping his friends and family with planning their trips or just giving advice on how to make their visit better. Between visits, John enjoys cheering on the Tennessee Vols, Atlanta Braves, and Nashville Predators. You can connect with John on Twitter.